Steps

Step #1: Make the containment chamber.

You want to make a chamber that will be closed on all but the bottom side. The simplest design is a 2’x2’x2’ box with only five sides. Our second design (shown on the left) was more of a trapezoidal prism.

First, we’ll start with the cap piece. Decide where you want your fans and use the drill and saw to make bores slightly smaller than the fans. Add a small bore for the wires from one fan to come back up through the box.

Make the side pieces. Assemble the chamber by using screws, wood glue, and wood scraps (for added strength).

Step #3: Set up the circuit.

Using the bread board and solder, connect the LED (or other load) to the diodes and then the fans.

The diodes serve to let the current go only one way to the load. For example, if you charge a battery with the fans, the voltage in the battery may become too large and will actually start turning the fans in the opposite direction (or at least providing resistance to the driving air). The diodes serve to prevent this.